Federal Council approves armaments policy strategy
Swiss Government
Press release
Published on 20 June 2025
Bern, 20.06.2025 -- The deteriorating security situation calls for a rethink of Switzerland's armaments policy. At its meeting on 20 June 2025, the Federal Council therefore approved its first armaments policy strategy, which aims to maintain the remaining defence-critical industrial base in Switzerland and strengthen the broader technology and industrial base relevant to national security. In addition, research, development and innovation for the further development of the Swiss Armed Forces are to be expanded and Switzerland's international armaments cooperation intensified.
Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, the security environment in Europe has deteriorated drastically. This requires a rapid reinforcement of the Swiss Armed Forces' defence and sustainability capabilities. The global defence market has also changed fundamentally: demand for defence equipment has risen sharply, leading to longer delivery times and rising prices. Switzerland is particularly affected by these developments, as it is not a member of NATO, the European Union or the European Economic Area, and it is not a priority for manufacturers because of its small procurement volumes. Moreover, because it refuses to re-export Swiss war materiel to Ukraine, it is no longer regarded as a reliable partner by European countries. An increasing number of countries are therefore excluding Switzerland from procurement projects and supply chains.
Reorientation of armaments policy
In order to meet these challenges, a reorientation of Switzerland's armaments policy and stronger strategic control by the Federal Council are required. On 27 November 2024, the Federal Council therefore instructed the DDPS to draw up an armaments policy strategy. This is now available and pinpoints ten areas in which action can be taken to achieve the defined goals.
With its armaments policy strategy, the Federal Council aims to ensure that the Armed Forces are provided with the required arms, equipment and services in good time, thereby strengthening their defence capabilities. In addition, the future-oriented further development of the Armed Forces is to be improved and the Armed Forces' ability to work with neighbouring countries and other European states enhanced.
One focus of the Federal Council's armaments policy strategy is on maintaining the defence-critical industrial base (DIB) and strengthening the entire security-relevant technology and industrial base (STIB).
In particular, key security-relevant technologies and core industrial capabilities and capacities in Switzerland will be maintained and further strengthened. In future, Switzerland will aim to procure at least 60 per cent of its defence requirements from domestic manufacturers. In addition, a gradual increase in investment in security-related research, development and innovation is intended to exploit and develop the technological potential available to the Armed Forces in Switzerland . Plans include strengthening cooperation in these areas with Swiss universities, start-ups and SMEs, with the aim of consolidating Switzerland's technological independence in certain areas and increasing Switzerland's competitiveness and ability to cooperate internationally in the field of defence technology.
Reinforcing the DIB and STIB is not only necessary to ensure defence supplies, but also to increase Switzerland's attractiveness as an international cooperation partner. Switzerland itself must be able to offer defence-related goods and services that are needed by other countries in order to ensure that these countries are prepared to cooperate with Switzerland on arms procurement in the future.
Expansion of international defence cooperation
The expansion of international defence cooperation is necessary for Switzerland, as it will remain dependent on defence imports, particularly for major systems such as fighter aircraft, battle tanks and artillery systems. Switzerland also aims to be able to protect and defend itself independently if possible in the event of attack, while at the same time being able to cooperate with other states in certain situations. An essential prerequisite for this is that the Swiss Armed Forces' systems and equipment are largely identical to, or at least compatible with those of neighbouring countries. This means that in future at least 30 per cent of defence procurement should be from neighbouring countries and other European countries if possible. This goal can also be achieved by increasing the number of joint procurement projects with partner countries.
Improving the general conditions for Swiss war materiel exports is crucial to achieving the goals of the armaments policy strategy. The strategy accepts that it is unlikely that Switzerland will be able to maintain its DIB unless European confidence in Switzerland's reliability as a supplier is restored. Restoring trust is equally important for ensuring Swiss involvement in defence cooperation projects and international supply chains, as well as continued access to foreign defence equipment.
Implementation of the strategy is interdepartmental
The Federal Council has given the DDPS the task of working with other departments to implement the Federal Council's armaments policy strategy. A long-term, interdepartmental working group involving the FDFA, FDF and EAER will be set up for this purpose. The strategy already contains an initial package of specific implementing measures in the form of an action plan. An annual report on progress with implementation will be submitted to the Federal Council, including proposals for adjustments to the action plan that are deemed necessary.
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